Protesters in the Czech town of Ostrava on Friday clashed with police, who fired tear gas to break up crowds marching against the presence in the nation of Roma and Sinti travelling people. Hundreds of protesters fought with police for several hours, with dogs, horses and helicopters eventually deployed against the marchers.
Protesters, organised by Dělnická Strana Sociální Spravedlnosti (Workers Party) political group, were reported to be attempting to attack the homes of local Roma people. Police forced the crowds to scatter into neighbouring woodland and side streets.
Demonstrators have been accused by Roma commentators of expressing racist and neo-Nazi sentiments, a statement that organisers reject. Previous marches in the town have led to mass arrests of protesters and the confiscation of weapons including knives and baseball bats.